Decide What You Want From a Printing Vendor
Black printer
Before even beginning to look for printing vendors, sit down and make a list. Separate your list into three sections: Must-Have, Desired, and Bonus.
In your “Must-Have” section, write down elements that are absolute requirements for your printing vendor. Follow this with your “Desired” section, which should include elements that would be great, but aren’t an absolute necessity.
It’s likely that you’ll find multiple vendors that meet your “Must-Have” requirements, so having a “Desired” section will help you further narrow down your options. Finally, your “Bonus” section should be things to strive for. You might not find these in a vendor today, but these are a great reference if your vendor later asks for recommendations to add to their products or services list.
In your “Must-Have” section, write down elements that are absolute requirements for your printing vendor. Follow this with your “Desired” section, which should include elements that would be great, but aren’t an absolute necessity.
It’s likely that you’ll find multiple vendors that meet your “Must-Have” requirements, so having a “Desired” section will help you further narrow down your options. Finally, your “Bonus” section should be things to strive for. You might not find these in a vendor today, but these are a great reference if your vendor later asks for recommendations to add to their products or services list.
Here are some ideas to get you started. Which section you put them into will vary on their importance to you:
- Speed: How soon after you’ve submitted your materials do you need them ready to go? How long does it take to get a new design sample returned to you? Keep in mind that speed does not always equal quality, so it’s important to look at both speed and quality together.
- Environmental Impact: What does your printer do to help the environment? Do they have the option to print on recycled paper? Consumers love to support businesses that are sustainable and especially if your business focuses on environmental causes, having a printer that also promotes sustainability can be a great incentive.
- Cost: Of course cost is an item that you must consider. Vendors that boast incredibly low prices may not have the best customer services or vice versa. It’s important to evaluate the cost of your vendor in comparison with their services offered. The 24-hour customer support might be worth a slightly higher fee. Additionally, a slightly higher cost may also ensure more samples, design help, or a smaller carbon footprint.
- Samples: Being able to receive samples can be an incredibly beneficial attribute of a printer, especially if you’re going to be purchasing copies that will be widely distributed. Check with potential vendors and see how many samples you can receive per item.
Color samples
- Design Aid: Does your printer have a graphic designer on staff to help you make the most of your printed materials? These products will be seen by past, present, and future clients and really could make or break a sale. Choosing a printer that has a designer can save you time and potentially money in the long run because you’ll spend less of your own valuable time trying to figure out design programs and features.
- Shipping fees: While a printer may have a great price on their products, shipping fees could be where they really make their money, so ask yourself: What do the shipping fees for your pinter look like? Do you get a discount if you order in bulk? Does your printer also handle distribution, and if so, what are the costs associated with this? These answers may not always be readily available on the company’s website because they will vary according to the type of product, so have these questions ready to ask when you make an enquiry call.
- Data security systems: Asking yourself how the company protects your information is a vital element to consider when choosing a printing vendor. Your billing information, contact info, and even addresses for yourself and your clients are at risk of being hacked and stolen if your printing vendor doesn’t secure your data properly. You likely won’t find much information about this on the vendor’s website so be prepared to ask about this on a phone call.
- Quality: Certainly, quality is essential when choosing a printing vendor, and likely, this will go in the “Must Have” section of your list. The quality of the products will not only ensure longevity, but also boast the dependability of your brand to your clients. Ask for physical samples to truly see the level of quality to which your printer holds themselves accountable.
- Customer service: Things go wrong. It’s part of owning any sort of business or trying to do anything involving technology. Having a good customer support team on your side (even in the late and early hours of the day) can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re working on growing and expanding your business
Should you Choose Local?
Choosing a local printer can be incredibly useful, especially for small businesses or for those who want an extra pair of eyes on the design. By choosing a vendor in your area you have the ability to receive support in-person and to visit facilities, as well as verify that you’ll get what you think you’re getting.
Online vendors generally boast cheaper pricing, but the caveat is that there may not be another person looking over your sample before 100+ copies go to print, so you really have to be sure that you’re submitting the perfect file.
Whether or not you choose a local vendor will greatly depend on your business model. If quality is among your top priority, a local vendor will likely be better for you. But, if you’re willing to compromise a little quality for quantity and you’re already sure of your designs, online might be the more economical choice.
Online vendors generally boast cheaper pricing, but the caveat is that there may not be another person looking over your sample before 100+ copies go to print, so you really have to be sure that you’re submitting the perfect file.
Whether or not you choose a local vendor will greatly depend on your business model. If quality is among your top priority, a local vendor will likely be better for you. But, if you’re willing to compromise a little quality for quantity and you’re already sure of your designs, online might be the more economical choice.
Check References with Previous Clients
A final step to ensure that you’re making the best choice in your printing vendor is to check references with previous clients. Testimonials on the vendor’s website should provide some insight, but it can also be useful to check sites such as TrustPilot.
What Can DFW Printing Provide
At DFW Printing, we provide not only paper materials such as brochures, business cards, and newspapers, but we also provide promotional items, which are a great way to spread the word about your enterprise while making your customers feel valued through a small gift or prize.
Just thinking about paper based products at this time? No worries, we’ve got you covered there too. Not only can we supply you with all forms of printed materials, but you can also receive them in all types of finishes, such as matte, spot UV, full UV and spot AQ.
Once you’ve got all of your printing needs taken care of, it’s time to think about delivery. No need to find another company! Here at DFW Printing we pride ourselves on one-stop shopping. Call us at 214-977-7458 to discuss delivery options. We work with everyone from small and large business owners, print brokers, graphic designers, and photographers. Whatever your printing needs may be, we can make it happen.
Just thinking about paper based products at this time? No worries, we’ve got you covered there too. Not only can we supply you with all forms of printed materials, but you can also receive them in all types of finishes, such as matte, spot UV, full UV and spot AQ.
Once you’ve got all of your printing needs taken care of, it’s time to think about delivery. No need to find another company! Here at DFW Printing we pride ourselves on one-stop shopping. Call us at 214-977-7458 to discuss delivery options. We work with everyone from small and large business owners, print brokers, graphic designers, and photographers. Whatever your printing needs may be, we can make it happen.
Consequences of the Wrong Vendor
Choosing the wrong vendor can not only be a pricey error, but you’ll also have lost valuable time in creating must-have products for your business. Spend time researching printing vendors because when you put in the effort and do your research, you’ll likely never have to look for a new vendor again.
Interested in Learning More?
Call us for your free estimate at 214-977-7458 or reach out via email at [email protected] to discuss all of your printing needs.